After the bleak prophecy concerning the destiny of Edom, the Lord proclaimes the restoration of Israel. Zion shall be restored, and the house of Jacob (Israel) will exact revenge on Edom, among other nations. Esau will be the stubble burned up by the fire of Israel.

19 The South shall possess the mountains of Esau,

And the Lowland shall possess Philistia.

They shall possess the fields of Ephraim

And the fields of Samaria.

Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

20 And the captives of this host of the children of Israel

Shall possess the land of the Canaanites

As far as Zarephath.

The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad

Shall possess the cities of the South.

21 Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion

To judge the mountains of Esau,

And the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

The prophecy continues by declaring which regions of Israel will take back land stolen by Edom, Philistia, and Samaria. Gilead, and the lands of the Canaanites will come to Israel as well. Jerusalem will be the center of refuge for the exiles, who will come from the far reaches of Babylon to Jerusalem. Edom will be subject to Israel. Yahweh will again be acknowledged as supreme. None of this was true at the moment of Obadiah’s prophecy, but would happen as the prophecy unfolded among the people of God. Know that what God says will come to pass. Trust Him!